Wire transfers to Chase work through the Federal Reserve system, and Chase gives you multiple ways to send the money depending on where you're sending from and how quickly you need it to arrive

A wire transfer is an electronic movement of money from one bank account to another. When you wire money to Chase, you're instructing your bank to send funds directly to a Chase account holder. The money typically arrives the same business day or the next business day, depending on what time you send it and which type of wire you use.

Chase accepts two main types of wires: domestic wires (money staying within the United States) and international wires (money going to another country). Most people sending money within the U.S. use domestic wires. The process is similar either way, but international wires require additional information and usually take longer.

You do not need to be a Chase customer to wire money to a Chase account. You can send a wire from any bank that offers wire transfer services. However, you will need specific information about the person receiving the money before you start.

Key Takeaways

  • You need the recipient's Chase account number, routing number, and full name exactly as it appears on their account before you can send a wire.
  • Most banks let you wire money online through their website or mobile app, by phone, or in person at a branch.
  • Domestic wires to Chase usually arrive the same business day if sent before the bank's cutoff time, which is often 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. your local time.
  • Wire transfers cost money — typically between $15 and $30 per wire — so confirm the fee with your bank before you send.
  • Once a wire is sent, you cannot cancel it, so double-check all account numbers and the recipient's name before you confirm the transfer.

Information you need before sending a wire to Chase

The person receiving the money must give you four pieces of information. Write them down exactly as they provide them, because even a single digit wrong in an account number will send the money to the wrong place.

You need the recipient's full name as it appears on their Chase account. This matters because banks match the name on the wire to the name on the account. If you write "Bob Smith" but the account is registered as "Robert Smith," the wire may be rejected or delayed.

You also need their Chase account number (usually 10 to 12 digits) and Chase's routing number. Chase's routing number depends on which state the account was opened in. The most common Chase routing numbers are 021000021 (for most states) and 322271627 (for some western states), but the recipient should tell you which one applies to their account. You can also find the routing number on the bottom left of a Chase check.

For international wires, you will also need the recipient's SWIFT code (an eight or eleven-character code that identifies the Chase branch internationally) and possibly their IBAN (International Bank Account Number), depending on the country. Ask the recipient which information their bank requires.

How to send a wire through your own bank

Start by logging into your bank's website or mobile app and looking for "wire transfer," "send money," or "transfer funds." The exact name varies by bank. If you cannot find it online, you can call your bank's customer service line or visit a branch in person.

When you initiate a wire, your bank will ask you to choose between a domestic wire (within the U.S.) and an international wire. Select domestic unless the money is going outside the United States. Then enter the recipient's information: their name, account number, and routing number. Your bank will ask you to confirm this information before processing, so read it carefully.

Next, enter the amount you want to send. Your bank will show you the wire fee at this point — this is the cost to you for sending the wire, separate from the amount the recipient receives. Some banks charge a flat fee (like $20), while others charge a percentage of the amount being sent. Confirm you understand the fee before you proceed.

Finally, choose when you want the wire to process. If you send it before your bank's cutoff time (usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. on a business day), it will likely arrive at Chase the same day. If you send it after the cutoff or on a weekend or holiday, it will process the next business day. Once you confirm, the wire is sent and cannot be stopped.

What happens after you send the wire

Your bank will give you a confirmation number or reference number for the wire. Save this number. If something goes wrong or the recipient does not receive the money, you will need it to track the wire.

For a domestic wire sent before the cutoff time on a business day, the money usually arrives in the recipient's Chase account within a few hours or by the end of the business day. Chase processes incoming wires throughout the day, so there is no exact arrival time — it depends on when the Federal Reserve processes the transfer.

If you sent the wire after the cutoff time, on a weekend, or on a holiday, it will not process until the next business day. The recipient should not expect to see the money until then. If more than one business day has passed and the money has not arrived, contact your bank with your confirmation number so they can investigate.

Wire transfer fees and what they cover

Every bank charges a fee to send a wire transfer. This fee is separate from the amount of money you are sending — if you wire $1,000 and the fee is $20, the recipient gets $1,000 and you pay $20 out of your account.

Domestic wire fees typically range from $15 to $30, depending on your bank and whether you send the wire online, by phone, or in person. Online wires are sometimes cheaper than in-person or phone wires. International wires cost more, often $40 to $50 or higher, because they require more processing.

Some banks waive wire fees if you maintain a certain account balance or have a premium account type. Ask your bank whether any of your accounts may have access to for fee waivers before you send.

Why a wire might not arrive or might be rejected

The most common reason a wire does not arrive is an error in the account number or routing number. If even one digit is wrong, the wire goes to a different account. Some banks will reject the wire and send it back to you. Others will deliver it to the wrong account, and you will have to contact that bank to recover the money — which can take weeks.

A mismatch between the recipient's name on the wire and the name on their Chase account can also cause a delay or rejection. This is less common with domestic wires but more common with international wires, where banks are stricter about name matching.

If the wire is rejected, your bank will send the money back to your account, usually within one to three business days. You will not be charged a second fee for the return, but you will have lost the original wire fee. Before you try again, contact the recipient and confirm every piece of information.

Alternatives to wires if you need to send money to Chase

If a wire seems too expensive or complicated, you have other options. ACH transfers (Automated Clearing House transfers) are slower but cheaper — they usually cost nothing or a few dollars and take one to three business days. Most banks let you set up an ACH transfer online to any account at any bank.

If the recipient is also a Chase customer and you both have Chase accounts, you can use Chase QuickPay or Zelle (a peer-to-peer payment service available through most banks). These are free, when ready or nearly when ready, and require only the recipient's email address or phone number. However, Zelle and similar services have daily limits on how much you can send, usually $500 to $2,000 per day.

If you need to send a large amount and want to avoid wire fees, ask the recipient whether they can wait one to three business days for an ACH transfer instead. It costs much less and works just as reliably for non-urgent transfers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel a wire after I send it?

No. Once a wire is sent and processed by the Federal Reserve, it cannot be canceled or stopped. This is why you must verify all account information before you confirm the transfer. If you sent money to the wrong account, you will need to contact that bank and ask them to return it, which can take weeks or may not be possible.

What time should I send a wire to make sure it arrives today?

Send it before your bank's wire cutoff time, which is usually 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. your local time on a business day. Check your bank's website or call to confirm the exact cutoff. If you send it after the cutoff, on a weekend, or on a holiday, it will process the next business day.

Do I need a Chase account to wire money to Chase?

No. You can wire money to a Chase account from any bank that offers wire transfers. You just need the recipient's account number, routing number, and name.

How long does a wire to Chase take?

Domestic wires usually arrive the same business day or the next business day, depending on what time you send them. International wires typically take three to five business days. The exact timing depends on when your bank sends the wire and when Chase processes incoming transfers.

What if the wire arrives but the recipient's name does not match their account exactly?

Chase may reject the wire or hold it for review. If this happens, the money will be returned to your bank within one to three business days. To avoid this, ask the recipient how their name appears on their account and use that exact spelling and format.